Belmar Businesses Have 1 Year To Stop Providing Plastic Bags

BELMAR – The borough council recently approved an anti-plastic-bag ordinance that gives businesses one year to stop providing plastic bags.

After May 1, 2019, no business or store shall provide any single-use, plastic carryout bags to a customer at the check stand, cash register, point of sale, or other point of departure for the purpose of transporting products or goods out of the business or store, according to the ordinance.

Single-use, plastic carryout bags may be used by businesses or stores to sell bait.

The ordinance noted that, in 2016, 1 trillion plastic bags were used worldwide and an estimated less than 5 percent of that plastic is recycled.

"Belmar believes it has a duty to investigate and implement all necessary and proper steps the borough can take to protect the environment and the public health, welfare, and safety, especially given the borough’s position as an oceanside community," the ordinance reads.

The borough’s taxpayers currently bear the costs associated with the negative effects of plastic, single-use carryout bags on the solid waste stream, drainage, litter, and the negative consequences of the foregoing environmental impacts, according to the ordinance.

"Belmar has concluded that residents and visitors should use reusable bags and that a prohibition on the distribution of single-use, plastic carryout bags by businesses is appropriate and will incentivize the use of reusable and recycled bags at businesses," according to the ordinance.

Patch file photo